The globe thistle growing on the side of our house is quite eye catching at the moment.
Its beautiful green thistles bud tiny purple flowers that end up crisscrossing,
as though holding hands, covering the entire ball.
I enjoy the uniqueness of this cut flower.
I like that it lasts long and usually dries quite nice to keep in a decorative vase.
It's been close to five years since, through the encouragement of my MGCC friends,
I wrote my first post on FOR EVERYTHING A SEASON.
I wrote my first post on FOR EVERYTHING A SEASON.
More recently I've heard that blogging is going out of style,
but for me it is a retreat into writing and reading that surpasses the quick things
said on other kind of social media . . .
but for me it is a retreat into writing and reading that surpasses the quick things
said on other kind of social media . . .
one that has opened up a world of friends to me,
namely, those who come by to visit here.
Even though I have no idea who most of you are . . .
and maybe that is what intrigues me . . .
I'm humbled and amazed when I think about this invisible audience
that keeps me accountable.
One site that has given me a pretty good idea of where readers
have come from over the past year is Cluster Maps.
You can usually find it on my side bar and click on it to see the visitors,
literally from around the globe.
have come from over the past year is Cluster Maps.
You can usually find it on my side bar and click on it to see the visitors,
literally from around the globe.
If you can see a red dot on your city or coutnry on this map . . .
I just want to say a huge THANK YOU
May God bless you . . .
in Saskatoon, in Los Angels, in Curitiba, in Madrid and beyond . . .
If you ever feel so inclined, please leave a comment and say hello.
I'd love to hear where you live.
Update - (Aug2) - Cluster Maps deletes all visits after one year and starts again ... so the visits shown up until yesterday, Aug 1, 2013 are not there any more now. Sorry if you missed it. =(
27 comments:
Thank you!!!
I have so enjoyed your blog ..your family,your recipes, your thoughts and your love of God,,, please continue it makes my day
I have bought both your books and hope more will be coming,,
You and the girls are an inspiration,, Keep it up!!
xoxo. Renee
Loving your blog from the Island!
If blogging is going out of style, I'm not worried. Lots of other things I enjoy or value are going out of style, or are long past their 'manic' days. That's alright with me as I don't need (and neither do the bloggers I love) to be that sort of follower.
Keep blogging - we obviously enjoy the reading!
I've been so inspired by your blog over and over Anneleise. Your feelings and thoughts are expressed beautifully as you use your gift of writing. I also like that often it's a magazine page for me. Your gifts in creativity making things oh so pretty and welcoming draw me here often to enjoy. Because I'm your friend I also enjoy seeing your family enjoying life and the little ones growing. You are an 'in style blogger'. Loved seeing the stats from around the world.
Anneliese - congrats on your 5-year post. I really enjoy reading your blog - you are a gifted writer and I hope you will continue to put your thoughts onto your blog. Your love for God and your family and friends is so evident and because of the sensitivity and insight in your writing, I feel like you have become a friend.
God bless you,
Helen (Saskatoon)
I am so thankful that I found your blog, Anneliese. I enjoy reading about your family, your friends, and your faith. I feel connected to you even though we haven't met (and may never). I don't care if blogging is out of style; there are many things in style that I choose not to participate in. As long as you keep writing, I'll keep reading!
Keep up the writing, Anneliese - you always have interesting observations on the events in your life and obviously there are a lot of people who agree with me. Happy 5th blog anniversary!
I am a follower of your blog, as well as MGCC and I feel like I have come to know you and your family through your blog posts. I enjoy your writing style and your challenges and your strong faith that comes through what you write and how you live. I can also feel along with you when you talk about your grandkids, we are at the same stage with ours. Thanks for sharing of yourself on your blog, I feel like I can call you "friend". Jo (Manitoba)
I'm glad you started a blog and are enjoying documenting so much history and inspiration. Chiming in from the Seattle area of Washington!
You KNOW I will be reading each and every post!! Your gentle spirit and strong faith shines brightly and is always an inspiration to me. I am still in awe and so thankful to have met you, not once but twice! Keep sharing your joy, sorrows, and beautiful witness....
You are beautiful!!
I am from Northern BC and I check in daily with my morning coffee to read what you have to say. You have given me lots of super entertaining ideas as well as thought provoking comments that challenge my faith. Its nice in this day and age of endless bad news to read something lighthearted once in awhile. I admire the love you have for your family and friends. Please keep blogging as long as you have the desire!!!
I am from Kentucky, USA and I really enjoy the thoughts, pictures of your beautiful family, wonderful recipes and entertaining ideas that you share. You have a gentle spirit that shines through your blog posts. May God continue to bless you and the rest of the MGCC girls. ~Elaine
Well I'm from the good old
USA...Georgia to be exact...and I'm with you...I think blogging is alive and well!
Anneliese, I am so glad I found your blog which I enjoy every day so don't even think of giving it up whether it is in style or not. I will continue to be a blog reader and feel blessed to have gained those invisible friendships. They are truly a gift. Blessings to you and your family, and all of the MGCC girls. I live in Virginia, USA.
Thanks for your blog!
There are three dots out there in the middle of the ocean! Two in the Pacific, and one in the Atlantic. Do you think someone in a raft is following you? I can't imagine what it could be.
Sharon
I live in the same town as you do and I check your blog almost every day. Your gentle spirit reminds me of my mom.
Oh, it's fun to read of the places!
Sharon ... you made me smile! I think the Pacific Ocean dots are Hawaii, but the Atlantic? I have no idea. Someone with a phone a raft sounds good enough! =)
Your blog means a lot more, since we met in Saskatoon! Thank you for your dedication to MGCC and all that is behind it.
Anneliese, I stumbled upon the MGCC blog a number of years ago, and then started reading all of your individual blogs after that. I feel connected to you in many ways. My mother spent a year in a jungle in Indonesia, teaching at a school while a missionary was in the States on furlough. She had to fly out of Indonesia every couple of months because of the type of visa she had, so she needed a pilot like your son-in-law to fly her out and then back again. We both have grandchildren born on Feb 29, 2008. I love to cook and bake and you do too--and I use many of your recipes. I have both of the MGCC cookbooks and love them! Most importantly, we share a faith in God and though I probably won't have the privilege of meeting you on this earth, someday we will meet in Heaven. I'm from Maryland, in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Keep up the blogging--you do a great job; and I'll keep reading about you and your family. Ann
Hi Anneliese, you know exactly where I live! But I think you need to come for another visit. :-)
Kathy in Virginia
Hi Anneliese,
I've been enjoying your blog and MGCC for a couple years now. Out of style or not, please don't stop sharing. You girls rock!
Marilene (from Curitiba, Brazil)
I don't often comment on your blog but I am a faithful reader from Lancaster County, PA. I was thrilled to connect you with mutual friends when you were in our area at Berean signing books with Lovella 2 years ago. Now you need to return so I can have you sign Celebrations. My copy came in the mail from Herald Press several months ago and I've read it cover to cover. Such beauty and inspiration! Congrats on 5 years of blogging. You are an inspiration.
Hi Anneliese,
I live in the southern part of Western Australia. I love reading your blog as well as the Mennonite Girls Can Cook site. You really are all amazing cooks and your food is healthy and yummy. You have about the best food site I have come across (and not just food for the body). I also like your style aesthetic, another vital element in healthy living in my book!
Kind regards,
Sonya
Thank you to each and every one of you, my internet friends, as Kathy called me before we met. What a marvelous world we live in that we can connect like the flowers on the globe! (photo)
Blogging has definitely changed my outlook on life in that I am more aware to what's going on around me. I am thankful if others can connect with what I'm saying in some way and realize that all of life is a gift to each one of us.
Your comments are encouraging... from home, from Northern BC, from the Island, the Prairies, Eastern Canada, WA, GA, KY, VA, Washington DC, Brazil and Australia . . . Wow! I've been to many of these states and countries and it's great to actually know someone who lives in a particular place.
To those of you I've met - it was such a wonderful time! I'd come back any time! =)
Take care! Love, Anneliese
Congratulations on your 5th Anniversary of blogging. I really enjoy reading about all the awesome events that are happening in your life and family. You are such a great sister-in-law and I am so blessed to have you in my life. I read your blog almost daily, please continue.
Love Mary (from Penticton)
Hi! I've really enjoyed reading your blog which I 'stumbled' upon while serving here in Spain. My origins are as an MK in Paraguay so very likely we have some further connections that way! It would be fun to play the "Mennonite game", eh? I believe as a direct result of trying recipes from MGCC, I've become a better cook for my family, and definitely a much more confident one at that, too! Thank you for your encouraging words and God bless! -Heidi Beachy Schmidt
From the East Coast I pay my daily visits here, and always leave inspired, motivated, and blessed as I leave. I thank God for the friends I have made and continue to make via blogging. I thank God for you Anneleise. You are a special lady!
I love your blog Anneliese - you have truly been a God send. Your wisdom has been beautiful and I am so grateful to be able to read your blog and be encouraged as you share your beautiful family. As for going out of fashion? Not for me. God bless you from Paraparaumu, New Zealand.
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